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Systemic Unsustainability as a Threat to Democracy

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  • Andrea Felicetti

Abstract

Resilient socioeconomic unsustainability poses a threat to democracy whose importance has yet to be fully acknowledged. As the prospect of sustainability transition wanes, so does perceived legitimacy of institutions. This further limits representative institutions’ ability to take action, making democratic deepening all the more urgent. I investigate this argument through an illustrative case study, the 2017 People's Climate March. In a context of resilient unsustainability, protesters have little expectation that institutions might address the ecological crisis and this view is likely to spread. New ways of thinking about this problem and a new research agenda are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Felicetti, 2021. "Systemic Unsustainability as a Threat to Democracy," Environmental Values, , vol. 30(4), pages 431-451, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envval:v:30:y:2021:i:4:p:431-451
    DOI: 10.3197/096327120X15973379803708
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elizabeth Shove & Gordon Walker, 2007. "Caution! Transitions Ahead: Politics, Practice, and Sustainable Transition Management," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 39(4), pages 763-770, April.
    2. Carolyn Hendriks, 2009. "Policy design without democracy? Making democratic sense of transition management," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 42(4), pages 341-368, November.
    3. Jan Rotmans & Rene Kemp, 2008. "Detour Ahead: A Response to Shove and Walker about the Perilous Road of Transition Management," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 40(4), pages 1006-1012, April.
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